Thursday, December 24, 2009

I hope everyone had a fun time shopping local for the holidays!! I had to buy crayons and markers for the crayon rolls I made for my girl's friends but otherwise I successfully skipped the box stores and malls for Christmas gifts this year. I hope more people can figure out how that can work for them!!

Enjoy your celebrating. I look forward to all I have to learn about my community in 2010. See you then!!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Ruth Smith of Periwinkle Dzyns has been making jewellery for years. Thrifty crafting is in her blood, so when a bag of factory discarded resistors found their way onto her beading tray it was meant to happen. With technology changing frequently there is a huge amount of obsolete materials generated by assembly plants. Ruth sees the beauty in these materials that would otherwise be destined for landfill and creates non-traditional jewellery in her studio at the back of her St. James home.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I received this review last week from one of my readers. I have been wanting to stop in and taste Constance Popp's delicious creations but I haven't had a second to get away. When I do I will modify it with my review...but really....everyone knows chocolate is delicious so I cannot believe that I would have anything but fabulous things to say about them.

I found this feature on a really good whos who of Winnipeg website:

http://treasuresof.com/Listing.aspx?city=Winnipeg&state=Manitoba"Chocolatier Constance Popp - Specializing in fresh premium artisan chocolate, this newly renovated contemporary shop in St. James is a unique blend of environmentally sustainable materials and locally-made artwork and antique finds. The in-house made Belgium chocolate is all natural with no artificial preservatives or flavours, using only fresh savoury and sweet ingredients that include a range of herbs and spices, real fruits and nuts and wherever possible, organic, Fair Trade and locally produced. The quality and depth of the chocolate is notable here as single-origin and single-plantation chocolates are used in the bon bons, barks, filled and solid bars, chocolate covered roasted almonds and the velvety and spicy chocolate drink. Also notable is the packaging, which is compostable and the unique selection of signature and keep-sake boxes, which includes a distinctive wooden pyramid box with velvet sachel and locally created exquisite stained-glass shoes and boxes for truffles. Chocolatier Constance Popp is committed to fine chocolate making, local artisans, environmental sustainability and community support. In addition to the shop on Portage Avenue, look for Chocolatier Constance Popp chocolates in specialty shops and fine hotels throughout Manitoba. Photo by Luna Works Photography."

Please read Sandi's review and next time you are driving down West Portage Avenue stop in and let us all know how wonderful the shop is. ;)
"I was on your blog today, and thought i must tell you about MY favorite local shop! Your little girl has a cupcake shop and a cookie shop? Get ready for a chocolate shop!!!Constance Popp, the Chocolatier is absolute heaven! She's on Portage by Ferry Road. She uses local ingredients, compostable packaging, & is delicious, delicious, delicious!

My personal favorite treat is the Manitobar- shaped like the province and made of local hemp, flax, and about fifty other awesome yummies ;) She also has great chocolate covered almonds and a whole case of specialty truffles (made with manitoba maple, mint as well as squash or beets!)Did i mention the always have bowls of samples out?!Definitely check them out! You won't be sorry :)

Hi Everyone! I am sorry I have not been able to post much lately. I haven't had the time to research new artisans because it has been getting very busy around here lately. I apologize because I have a few readers who have sent me emails about doing a feature on them. I have an idea to make this blog run smoother. If you want me to do a feature on you because you are a local artisan, you know an artisan you would like me to feature, or you have a local business that sells local wares please email me a paragraph on it with address or contact information and photos if you have. Then if I am too busy to research it I can still post it. What is important is that the local artisans are being featured and people are directed where to buy local. I know I am quite witty and a talented writer but most of you are here for the artisans not for me. ;D I will continue to do my posts as well as I come across interesting local talent but I don't want to stop posting here so please email your features to handmadeinmanitoba@gmail.com.

I look forward to reading your reviews, features, and learning about more of my community. This goes for anyone in Manitoba. Even local restaurants that use local ingredients or local farmers. I think we could even lean towards featuring neat small local restaurants that may or may not use local ingredients because they are are still our community and it would be nice to have more visitors to their establishments than to the big terrible chain restaurants. I love Manitoba and I would love for our local artisans and small business take over the local economy. Keep money in Manitoba and give it to our neighbors instead of the big corporations!

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Creative Paper Gallery is on Corydon at Waterloo. It has a nice mix of cards, home essentials, and gift ideas. They have a cute drawn catalog that can be downloaded from their work in progress website. They have some pretty funny gift ideas along with their more typical gift store fare. I like a store with a sense of humor. Some of my favorite gift ideas for stocking stuffers would be:

I am pretty sure that I could have written the I Love You But...book. Perhaps I slept-wrote it under an alias. I am sometimes not the nicest wife around so my hubby has heard it all. Ugh. ;) Also, if any of my LOVING friends or family are looking for a gift for me I would totally dig the M-Cups.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Brave New World is one of my favorite stores in Winnipeg. I have been shopping here for years and it is probably the only store that I like shopping for clothes at. I HATE shopping which is why I prefer to buy handmade things and shop at small local stores. Brave New World has a wide variety of gift ideas: jewelery, clothing, bags, scarves & knitwear, sweat shop free shoes & clothes, incense & many other small gift ideas. I absolutely LOVE this place. Read on about how they purchase their clothes:"Brave New World opened for business in May of 2001. We import clothing, jewellery, gifts and accessories from around the world. We also carry locally made products. The buyer for the shop goes directly to the source, shopping in the country where things are made, and visiting factories to ensure good working conditions.

Our two main suppliers are in Nepal and Thailand, and have small factories, consisting of between 10 and 25 employees, all adults (not children) of which some are very skilled and educated tailors.

All employees are paid above the minimum wage standard for each country, and the trained tailors and master cutters have quite well paying jobs by Nepal and Thailand standards.

One of our main focuses as consumers here at home and when buying for the store, is to buy from small businesses and individuals. We believe that ethical business extends much further than just fair trade practices in developing countries, and we strive to be honest, fair and moral in everything we do."

They are a very ethical minded store that carries original styles and great gifts for your loved ones from around the world.

"What makes The Baby Bin Boutique different from other stores? The Baby Bin Boutique was conceived with the notion that we can come together and bring to you the products that will enhance your life and the lives of your family.

Our primary focus is to help you with your shopping by offering you products and services that are unique, original, essential, and in many cases, exclusive to our shop. We believe that our knowledge combined with generous product choices provide you- our customers with the tools to make informed purchasing decisions.

We are happy to have created a warm atmosphere where moms, dads and grandparents can shop in peace while their little ones enjoy themselves in our safe and fun play area. Customers will be able to find clothing for their children, both new and consignment, as well as a selection of unique toys and gifts. Our consignment racks are full of children’s clothing from newborn to size 14, all in excellent condition and at extremely reasonable prices.

We are proud to offer many Mompreneur products. By doing so, we are promoting women like us, supporting small business and our local economy, and most importantly, helping children and families.

The Baby Bin Boutique we believe we should be considerate of Mother Earth. For this reason we encourage consignment, have a terrific selection of organic products, cloth diapers and babywearing products, and carry a variety of handmade specialty toys and gifts.

Our inventory changes daily so we're never the same store twice! We look forward to seeing you soon at The Baby Bin Boutique!Bring a friend and shop the friendliest Baby Boutique on the block!"

MCP is one of the largest local owned children's store featuring mostly second hand items that have been gently used. I am not sure if there is any "local" products featured here but I love used items and would like to get more people on that great bandwagon too! ;)

"MCP has been family owned and operated since 1981. So how did it all begin? Twenty eight years ago a mother and daughter realized a problem. Parents were having to spend ever increasing amounts to raise their children. Most unfortunate was that most of the items parents bought for their children were barely even used. Kids were in and out of things before parents have a chance to blink. Everything from car seats to cribs were great for the few months they were used, but after that these items became useless clutter. There were countless parents with drawers full of clothes their children only got to wear once before they were outgrown. It seemed an aweful waste to see these items thrown away.

In a small little shop in Trascona the mother and daughter team solved the problem. They opened a store where parents could bring their gently used items in for cash, while at the same time buying most of what they and their child needed at prices far less than new retail stores were charging. Although we have grown significantly in the last 28 years, moving to our current location on Nairn Ave. and at least quadrupling in size, we still have the heart of a small shop from Transcona. We hope this shows in the friendly environment within our store.

You may be surprised when you first walk in our store by the large number of brand name products we carry. Baby products by Graco, Cosco, Safety 1st, Evenflo, and Storkcraft. Toys by Fisher-Price, Playskool, Little Tikes, Step 2, and VTech. Clothing by Gap, OshKosh B'gosh, The Disney Store, Old Navy, Please Mum, Gymboree, Le Chateau, and Thyme. Come and see it all for yourself!

I know that I have reviewed Eat It eons ago but I just want to feature them once again for a holiday shop stop. Like Humbolt's they are more than a grocery. They just emailed me their holiday checklist so have a peak at it and stop in for an easy & possibly delicious gift. If any of you are stuck on what to buy me, the wonderful author sweating on this blog for you, I love Greens & Blacks Butterscotch chocolate bars. ;) It is my FAVORITE!!! Ok...fine...back to the blog...here is what they wrote:

"We have some great items for holiday gift ideas. Come on down and check them out! GIFT IDEAS:Sigg bottles and accessories - all 30% off
Ecousable Stainless Steel Bottles - a variety of shapes and sizes.
Greentainers - Stainless Steel Storage Tins - Come in 4 sizes. Use instead of Tupperware. Organic Kidz Baby Bottles - Stainless steel bottles with BPA free medium flow nipples. Many designs available. SIzes 4,7,9 oz. - all bottles 30% off
Calendars - Growing Local - Manitoba Food Charter calender and the Boreal Forest Calendar. Both help to support a great cause and are beautiful calenders.
Wild Dog Farms Beeswax Candles - many sizes including Christmas Trees. Trees will not be available until early next week.
All appliances - juicers, spiralizers, fermentation pots, blenders, BREWTS - 30% off.
All books - 20% off
Norwex items - large selection in store or you can special order certain items. Dr Hauschka skin Care and make up
Food also makes great gifts - John Russell Honey, Locally roasted coffee, teas, specialty raw products, cookies, jams, natural and organic confectionary, chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate - so many types that we cannot name them all here!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Humboldt's Legacy is one of the originals on Westminster Ave in Wolseley's core. I have been shopping at Humboldt's for many years now and every time I head in there they have new things. I found an article on Humboldt's Legacy online at http://www.bsdglobal.com/viewcasestudy.asp?id=72 that says everything better than I can so here it is:

"While big-box retailers in the Canadian city of Winnipeg leave large, unsustainable footprints, 'Humboldt's Legacy' treads much more lightly. Located on a quiet, elm-lined street with an organic food co-operative and a wholegrain bakery for neighbours; Humboldt's is a sanctuary for green consumers.

Humboldt's Legacy was founded on the belief that consumers can influence the shift to a more sustainable society by changing their purchasing habits. It gives consumers access to products that support the shift towards an alternative, sustainable economy.

'This is a very democratic enterprise,' says Willi Kurtz, Humboldt's co-owner. 'Our whole concept of this store is that the consumer sets the tone for the economy. For instance, we constantly hear people demanding certain products, or an end to child labour and so forth. That's a very simple thing that would happen tomorrow if our shopping patterns would change. And that's what we've seen here every day for ten years.'

For over decade, Humboldt's Legacy has been providing environmentally friendly household products to Winnipeg consumers. According to Kurtz, the economy as it exists today seems to be intent on fostering social inequality and environmental degradation.

The Humboldt's Legacy product range is diverse, but designed for anyone wanting to live in a sustainable society. Customers can find recycled paper; soaps, shampoos and detergents in refillable containers; clothing and bedding made from organic cotton; seeds that support biodiversity and organic agriculture; books and magazines providing information on a plethora of green subjects; and many other items."

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I love Oldhat and their hats can be purchased at an accesory shop in the Exhange called the Haberdashery. I Googled Haberdshery because it is an unusual name for a store and found out that a haberdasher is a person who sells small articles like a Medieval five and dime store and was also listed as a mens outfitter. It suits the store, although it does not exclusively sell mens accessories. The Haberdashery carries hats, neck ties, bow ties, scarves, buckles, sunglasses, and footwear.

I really liked this funny comment on www.wisegeek.com:

"Haberdashery is an odd word, somewhat fun to say, but its origin is unknown. Some suggest it comes from the French English word, hapertas, which translates to "wares" or "pretty wares." It is suggested that hapertas may have referred to a specific type of fabric that is now no longer made."

Karla, one of my readers commented on Winnipeg's Haberdashery:

"Here's a huge plug to visit The Haberdashery for lots of other amazing stuff too... The owners are friends of mine and you couldn't support a more wonderful Winnipeg couple. Buy your hats and accessories at mom and pop stores, people - and support local "guys next door" instead of large franchise stores. It's good for all of us!!"

Check them out online or at their shop in Winnipeg's Exchange District:

Local Shop Awesome is one of Osborne Village's local treats. Check in on them online or at the shop.

"LOCAL SHOP AWESOME is an awesome shop that holds locally designed clothing, art, and accessories. but... we’re not going to stop there, though. we’ll hold anything locally done that sparks our interest.L.S.A. (as some would like to refer to it) also makes custom garments, so if you're wanting one-of-a-kind pieces, or a custom fit garment of something that's already been designed, we can make these pieces for you. anywhere from knitting your own fabric and then sewing it into a sweater, to going out and picking the perfect fabric for that beautiful custom fit dress or dress shirt; whatever your needs may be! :)"

For the next couple of weeks I am going to look in and around downtown Winnipeg for local business to feature. To meet my criteria these businesses need to feature local artisans in there stores. We have quiet a few neat stores in Winnipeg especially in Osborne Village, on Corydon, Academy, in Wolseley and the Exchange. I am a little biased because I detest the suburbs so that is why I am featuring stores in my neck of the woods. I am not reviewing them because some of the places I haven't been to yet but have be recommended to look at them by some of my readers. I would like to continue to drive the shopping force to local wares so the more shops I can feature the better. Please check back over the next couple of weeks and find some neat places to shop. If you have a favorite shop please email it to handmadeinmanitoba@gmail.com. I will post other Manitoba locations too if you send me some details and they have to sell local goods.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

I promised that I would feature the woman from the Vinyard sale with the beautiful quilts and I found her. She is on Facebook and she has all of her quilts photographed and posted there. She explained to me some of the process. She had dyes some of the fabrics, machine stitches most of it and then hand stitches some of the details. I cannot figure out how she could machine stitch the different shapes on the quilts. She is a talented lady!! My favorite quilt is her prairie scene which she said took 50 hrs to make. She says she has no upcoming craft fairs but if you are interested in seeing them or purchasing one email her at joyeidse@mts.net or connect with her on Facebook.

These quilts need to be seen in person. The details are missed in the photographs. If you click on the quilts it will blow them up slightly.

Monday, November 30, 2009

It was so much easier than I thought to feature 30 local artisans and businesses in 30 days. It was fun researching and visiting the local craft fairs in search of talented Manitobans. I will continue with this blog because I still have many people researched to feature and review not to mention many new ones to find. There are still a few craft fairs I am planning on visiting and I have artisans emailing me with their introductions. If you are an artisan or small business owner in Manitoba I would love to take a look at you. Email me at handmadeinmanitoba@gmail.com. I know it is titled "handmade" but I am interested in looking at Manitoba's local market for all sorts of Manitoba made and grown companies. I have a few farmers to feature, restaurants, and many more local artisans. They just keep popping up and I am excited at what I am finding.

Other additions to this blog will be that I plan to review or feature specific local products instead of the artisan behind them. I also will be learning how to make hand made items and posting online tutorials so you can do it yourself too. It should be a fun place to keep checking back to.

My main goal for this blog is to show all my viewers that you do not need to shop at the major box stores. There is so much local goodness in Manitoba that you should be able to most items at small local stores or made by local Manitobans. Community support is so important in this world. We need to get out of our box and concentrate on how we can help the people that live in our neighborhood whether it is a local grocery, local farmers, our community shelters, and your even your neighbors. It is amazing how a meal made for a sick or grieving neighbor can change their spirit. You never know who needs you if do not get out and greet the people in your neighborhood.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Tiffany Payment contacted me a little while ago to tell me about her photography. She is from Gretna, Manitoba. I love photography and will probably have many posts in the future featuring the talented people behind the cameras that Manitoba has to offer us. One thing that I really like about Tiffany, which I have seen in other talented artisans, is her passion. She was not trained to be a photographer and then got a job taking photos. She loved capturing her children in candid shots and as she got her first digital camera she began to learn more and more and loved capturing other people's moments too. Tiffany now has a large portfolio of family, maternity, newborns, babies, and much much more.

I want to feature family photos today since that is what started Tiffany on this path. With Christmas up and coming families are excitedly planning for gatherings and getting gifts together. This is one moment when I think a good photographer can make a difference. At this time of year families are booking their family photo, to send along with their Christmas cards. Most often these are at one of the box stores. I have complained about this industry before when I featured another photographer. Tiffany will bring out your inner sparkle that a photographer in a sterile mini studio cannot. You will not be instructed to have to hold an unnatural "cute" or "loving family" pose and smile in unison to get that one good shot. Tiffany looks past the stiff posed pictures to the fun in everyone. As you play with your children she will be snapping memories. She will find someplace beautiful, whether it be your own home or outside, and let you make the memories while she looks into YOUR world. Do not book your family into a little studio with different coloured backdrops. Let a photographer like Tiffany into your life and make real memories.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

I had a nice morning out at the Christmas Craft Sale. It was very busy and so many wonderful things to see. I actually only went with $10 and do not need any more Christmas gifts but I was still looking around for birthday, shower gifts, and other things for our family. I like taking it all in and then going home and thinking about what we need. If I go with $100 I will find things to buy. This craft show had some amazing artisans. A couple I reviewed here like The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe and Oldhat...both have things I NEED to buy for my children very soon. They both have early Spring birthdays so I can start putting things away after Christmas.

One artisan stood out above all in my books. She did not have a card so I am hoping that I have the name right because I wrote notes in a few places and now I have to rely on my terrible memory on which person sold which item. I believe it was Joy Eidse's beautiful quilts. I have sent her a message to be able to feature here soon and I will hopefully be able to share some photos of her amazing craft! She had this amazing quilt of the prairies where the wheat hand stitched just so that it stood out from the quilt and looked as though it could sway in the wind. The skies were had patterns stitched into it similar to Van Gogh's Starry Night. She hand died the fabrics and it looked like so much work.

I am a stickler for hand made kid things and knit wear so I was amazed at what was very happy at the booths. I am sure this sounds like a broken record but there were so many nice things. A few that I took notes on were:Sweet Words
3trikes
Dick & Jane
My ClementineNatasha Boone Illustration
Annie's Knit Toddler BootiesOma Mary & Etsy site
Heike Eidse Rags and Regalia
Bethany Miller's Crocheting
Jill Zurzolo Handmade Bags

There were many others and I apologize that I didn't get to mention everyone. I was a little under the weather today so I didn't have my 100% to give today. If I missed anyone or if you would like to be featured here feel free to email me a handmadeinmanitoba@gmail.com.

Friday, November 27, 2009

There are going to be quiet a few talented people at this sale including some that I have featured this month so you DON'T want to miss it!!! Proceeds from the renting of the artisan tables will be going to a Women's co-op in Nepal and to supporting local Winnipeg artists in the WCV community.

There is more information & photos of some of the artisan's work here:

"CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALESat Nov 28 10am - 4pm @Winnipeg Centre Vineyard: 782 Main St... corner of Sutherland and Main (it's right beside the BIG YELLOW WAREHOUSE)You don't want to miss this sale! This fantastic event will be show casing local artists right here in our community. You'll be sure to find the perfect Christmas gift for friends and family, or just come out and shop for yourself. Spread the word!!!We have OVER 50 amazing local talent at this sale. Whether you are Christmas shopping or looking for something for your place, you don't want to miss this event. A taste of what you'll find at the sale: paintings, prints, baby items, photography, quilts/knitting, wood burning/carving, stained glass, pottery, music cd's, jewelry, baking, apparel, paper art, greeting cards, fabric art etc. While you shop, enjoy awesome busking talent and a bite to eat at the cafe. Door Prize to be won.$2 admission, kids FREE."

Now that I got your attention!! I would like to introduce the most diet friendly cupcake around....The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe. Starting when I was pregnant and ever since I have had uncontrollable sweet cravings. I am guessing that is why moms are so addicted to buying their little babes so sickly sweet newborn clothes. ;) That is the premise behind The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe. Amber's designs are sweet and adorable. She is the mother of 3 little girls so she has had her share of PINK around. That is how she came upon the idea for her cupcake apparel.

While I was at the Lilypad and Friends Craft Show I took in Ambers designs and they are soooo sweet. She can personalize any item so there are BIG BROTHER or BIG SISTER t-shirts with the child's initial or name. My friend Corinna and co-owner of Lily Pad had 2 BIG BROTHER shirts ready for her 2 boys because she was expecting number 3. She just had her little girl last week and I am sure she will be buying cupcakes, butterflies, and the cutest little tweet embroidered birds from The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe. A lot of time goes into making each of these little birdies! For every single one she makes a design, chooses the fabric with great care, and then she embroiders each one. These shirts, onsies, hats, and towels are all made with love.

The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe has had such an overwhelming response to her monogrammed shirts for older kids that she has started mini-monogrammed infant shirts and onsies. They are adorable!! Again I am in awe of how a mother of 3 could have enough time to design and create so much variety. She must drink 100 cups of coffee a day to keep up with all the work she does. I am lucky if the dishes get done. ;)

Keep The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe in your mind for Christmas gift ideas this year. There are so many awesome designs and if you get it in it time she can custom make for any child. If you are looking for stockings or Santa hats Amber custom monograms them so that each child can have an individual look.

I am down to the part where I tell you where to find her. Like Michelle from Revelations, Amber seems to be a crazy computer person who can be found EVERYWHERE. Take a look at her Etsy site, Blog, or Facebook page. She often can be found at Southern Manitoba & Winnipeg craft Fairs and will be next found at the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard Craft & Artisan Show this Saturday. So Check her out there. This will be her last craft fair before Christmas. You can still place an order with her (cottoncupcake@gmail.com) and mention you saw The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe here and she will give you FREE SHIPPING!!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Nathan Dueck is probably know best as the hat guy at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. I had not heard of Oldhat before this summer. My friend, her husband, and their children all got new/old hats at the festival. Old because 99% of his hats are made from recycled or second hand material. Nathan and Oldhat visited a couple festivals this summer to sell his wares and now has taken it a bit more down key do to schooling.

Nathan & Oldhat will be at the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard Craft Sale this weekend or you can purchase his hats at either The Haberdashery at 84 Albert St or Local Shop Awesome at 106B Osborne Village. Maybe we will be lucky to see him at 2010's Winnipeg Folk Festival too!!